Report – Chrysler aims to expand Mexican engine plant

According to people with knowledge of the matter, Chrysler Group LLC will upgrade its factory in Mexico to build more of the “Tigershark” engines that will be used by many of its passenger cars.

According to a Chrysler spokesman, tomorrow Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne and Mexican President Enrique Pena will be present on location at the Saltillo Engine Plant in Ramos Arizpe in the Mexican state of Coahuila to officially announce the investment and the addition of new jobs.

Chrysler plans to invest $164 million to expand the manufacturing facility, and about 500 new jobs will be created in time. Now, there are about 1,030 hourly and 174 salaried workers at the Mexican facility.

The 2-liter and 2.4-liter Tigershark engines are now used only by two models, the Dodge Dart and the Jeep Cherokee, but will be introduced to future products as they are launched.

The Saltillo Engine Plant also produces the 5.7-liter and the 6.4-liter HEMI engines for the bigger Chrysler products, including the Ram 1500 pickup truck, the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Also, near Ramos Arizpe, in Saltillo, are three more Chrysler manufacturing facilities, including one engine plant, a stamping plant and an assembly plant, which makes Ram pickup trucks.